Policy Brief: Population

The world's population is growing rapidly, increasing the risk of poverty, political instability and climate change. We're calling for concerted action to slow and stabilise the world's population growth.

Published:

March 2010

Price:

FREE

In 1950, the world’s population was 2.5 billion; today it stands at 6.8 billion.

It's predicted that the world’s population will stabilise at around 9.1 billion in 2050. Almost all of this increase will occur in developing countries.

Rapid population growth and high fertility rates correlate closely with high levels of maternal and child mortality, and poverty.

To help support this demographic transition in poorer countries, and to slow and stabilise population growth, we're calling for concerted action from donors, international development agencies and developing country governments.